Amunike: Tanzania ready to battle Nigeria & other African giants

Emmanuel Amuneke has said the Taifa Stars of Tanzania are now ready to take on Africa’s top guns like Nigeria and Egypt after they qualified for the AFCON for the first time since 1980.

Tanzania made history Sunday night when beat regional rivals Uganda 3-0 in Dar es Salaam to finish second in Group L with eight points from six matches.

“This is the first time since 1980 in Nigeria that Tanzania have qualified (for the AFCON) and we will have to be prepared,” the Nigerian coach told an Egyptian television station in an interview.

“It won’t be easy, but if we’re disciplined, humble and hungry to succeed, we will learn and be ready to compete with the big boys Egypt, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Angola.

“There are great and talented players in Tanzania, who will now show themselves at the AFCON.

“We hope to give a very good account of ourselves in Egypt.

“We have to be humble, open to learn so that we could improve and that way we can do something nobody expects.”

He continued: “I believe in hard work and the players being disciplined.

“Nobody will give you gifts, you have to work for them.

“When I was appointed in August, I said I was not here to do miracles. But if we can work hard, if we believe in ourselves, we can achieve.

“And now 65 million Tanzanians are happy.”